Soft Editorial Effect

Apply Soft Editorial to images and videos online

Soften a photograph's tonal transitions with a diffusion-style editorial treatment. Soft Editorial places bloom between inverted Levels stages, then uses curves to shape the final image.

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Original image before applying Soft Editorial effect Before
Image with Soft Editorial effect applied After

Ideas for using the effect

Fashion portraits

Use clear lighting and a close crop to balance softness with recognizable detail.

Beauty editorials

Create a less clinical surface for a portrait without adding a separate paper texture.

Lifestyle campaigns

Connect images through a shared diffused tonal treatment.

Moving portrait studies

Apply the same soft grade to short video portraits or editorial clips.

Made with this effect

More inspiration on Instagram @effect_app

Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
Example created with Soft Editorial effect Original before Soft Editorial
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Use Soft Editorial in Photoshop, Figma or on your desktop

One account, the same effect everywhere.

In Photoshop

Apply it to a layer in Photoshop 2022 and later, on macOS or Windows. The plugin renders on your own GPU and hands the result back as pixels on a new layer.

get the Photoshop plugin →

In Figma

Run it on images and frames without leaving the canvas. The Figma plugin is this same editor, pointed at whatever you have selected.

get the Figma plugin →

On desktop

Install the macOS or Windows app when you want a window of its own, with your account and your presets already there.

download the desktop app →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply Soft Editorial online?

Open the Soft Editorial preset, add your image or video, and adjust the loaded effect layers to suit your source. Preview the result before exporting.

What makes Soft Editorial different from ordinary bloom?

The image is inverted before Bloom and inverted again afterward. That changes which tonal regions drive the bloom treatment; subsequent Curves adjustments shape the final contrast and color.

How can I reduce the softness?

Lower Bloom intensity or spread, then ease the Curves adjustments if the tonal range still feels too compressed. Preview eyes, hair, and fine fabric detail while tuning.

Does it add film grain?

The saved stack uses Levels, Bloom, and Curves without a grain layer. Add Film Grain separately if you want texture, or try Old Editorial for a film-based combination.

Which images benefit most?

Portraits, fabrics, and softly lit still lifes make useful starting points. Images already lacking contrast may need a modest tonal adjustment so the diffusion does not erase the separation between subject and background.

Try Soft Editorial now

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